Operation HandsFree, a province-wide traffic blitz to raise awareness about the dangers of driving while using a cellphone, was held November 17 and 18. Traffic enforcement officers watched for drivers talking or texting with a hand-held cellphone and during the two-day event 207 drivers were fined.
"The extensive media coverage this operation received combined with the enforcement effort of provincial police authorities made this a very successful operation in terms of heightening public awareness of both the dangers and financial consequences of using cellphones while driving," said Andrew Cartmell, President and CEO of SGI.
Law enforcement issued a total of 663 traffic tickets, including the 207 tickets specifically for cellphone use. Other fines were given out for not wearing a seatbelt, tinted and obstructed windows, and other forms of distracted driving.
"We're pleased to see that this first coordinated province-wide blitz garnered so much attention. Raising awareness is a large component of improving traffic safety in every Saskatchewan community. We hope to see similar positive results in future blitzes," said Chief Dale McFee, outgoing President of the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police (SACP).
Operation HandsFree was the first of a new, province-wide co-ordinated approach to traffic safety blitzes created after a meeting of all traffic enforcement units in the province. A provincial blitz will be held each month targeting a particular traffic safety issue.
